I just now picked up on this...After an oil change my 94 3.9 will smoke a lot, mainly on start up, and prolonged driving.

Last oil change was at 4k after 8 months.

Engine has 205k

 

What weight oil are you using? Standard, or synthetic?

 

Conventional 5w-30

 

You want to put 10W30 in there. 5W is too light.

 

This.

Shucks, on my 1988, it calls for 15W40 for temps up from 10*F up; 10W30 from 0 to 100+, and 5W30 only if you're dependably below 0F.

(In Louisiana, I run 15W40 year round; again, see Louisiana. If you live up in the Rust Belt, your viscosity will vary.)

RwP

 

There are a lot of possibilities. I would start with parking on level, let set 30 min. or so, and check the oil level. Make sure its not overfilled. Then as said above, use 10-30 or whatever the thickest oil you can use for your temperature conditions. After that, check for blown plenum gasket, bad pvc valve, bad valve seals, and run a compression or better a leak down test. But at 205k miles, and 24 years old, I would think some oil useage is not out of line.

 

I agree with you guys...I wish I could run a 20w-50 in it! But the winter needs 5w-30.

Seems to have lower end noise as of late.